A MEMBER of staff at a special school has been suspended by education chiefs as part of an investigation into alleged child abuse.

A teacher at The Russett School, in Middlehurst Avenue, Weaverham, was removed from the site on Thursday during an inquiry by Cheshire police and Cheshire County Council's child safeguarding unit into allegations of inappropriate conduct.

An insider at the school told the Chronicle: 'This was a big investigation into child abuse at the school, which included doctors and child protection groups.'

The school cares for pupils aged four to 16 who are in need of specialist educational assistance - some receiving two-to-one attention each day.

Allegations of abuse at the school were taken very seriously by the county council, whose inquiry is understood to have lasted three to four months before it acted last Thursday.

A council spokesman said: 'We can confirm that a member of staff at The Russett School, Weaverham, has been suspended. Joint investigations by Cheshire police and Cheshire County Council's Child Safeguarding Unit are proceeding into allegations of inappropriate conduct.' He added: We would emphasise that suspension, in itself, is not a disciplinary measure.'

A Cheshire Constabulary spokesman said: 'Cheshire police officers are investigating an incident at The Russett School which was reported to us. They are now working to establish whether any criminal offences have taken place.'